Machine for buckle and tape assemblies



Jan. 21, 1969 F. FISCHER MACHINE FOR BUCKLE AND TAPE ASSEMBLIES SheetFiled May 14. 1964 /NVEN7'0R. fiwz F/acher ATTORNEY.

Jan. 21, 1969 F, FISCHER 3,422,999

MACHINE FOR BUCKLE AND TAPE ASSEMBLIES Filed May 14, 1964 Sheet 2 ofATTORNEY.

Jan. 21, 1969 F. FISCHER 3,422,999

MACHINE FOR BUCKLE AND TAPE ASSEMBLIES Sheet 3 of 5 Filed May 14, 1964INVENTOR.

Fr/fz Flicker Unitcd States Patent 6 Claims The present invention, whilerelating broadly to the attachment of buckles to tape as extensivelypracticed in the garment industry, particularly by that branch engagedin the manufacture and/or assembly of ladies undergarments, has moreespecial reference to new and novel improvements in buckle and tapeassembling methods and machines. Still more specifically the inventionrelates to the feeding of a flexible fabric tape or ribbon through acontinuously operable automatic machine in a manner that successiveportions of tape, precisely cut to a predetermined length, are ejectedfrom the machine at regular time intervals with the forward end of eachportion securely interlaced with spaced transverse bars of a buckle.

The main objective of the invention is the elimination of automaticallyoperable means for gripping the tape per se and pulling it forward atthe completion of successive assembly units, and the substitutiontherefor of an arrangement whereby successive buckles, on attachment tothe tape, become the instrument for effecting such feeding movement.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a machine of thecharacter and for the purpose described in which severance of eachassembled tape and buckle unit from the supply strip does not occuruntil the operations for assembly of the succeeding unit, that is ofreadying the tape for threading, have been completed.

And, a still further object of the invention is the pro vision of buckleand tape assembling machine which is of sturdy and compact construction,employing but a minimum of parts in the execution of precise and rapidmovement of tape threading elements, and by which both quality andquantity production are maintained.

To these and other ends as will become apparent from the following moredetailed description the invention consists of certain parts andcombinations of parts as will be fully set forth in this specificationand particularly defined in the appended claims.

Summarizing briefly, the machine includes guiding means over which atape or ribbon is fed under tension from a supply roll a predetermineddistance at regular time intervals, the feeding intervals alternatingwith those during which the tape portion of a preceding assembled unitis severed and a succeeding buckle attached to the supply line adjacentits free end. As these buckles are successively threaded to the tapethey become the medium for pulling the tape forward in its intermittentfeeding movement, successive buckles being alternately projected onto aplaten under the tape from a stack in an upstanding supply magazine.

The tape feed line lies intermediate and parallels two cam shafts one ofwhich, the driver or main shaft, through the medium of a gear reductionunit is in turn belt driven from the shaft of an electric motor. Mountedtransversely with respect to the cam shafts and driven from theaforesaid drive shaft through gearing, as will be described, are twocounter shafts on one of which is keyed a tape feed control disc.

The other cam shaft is a counter shaft driven by sprocket wheel andchain connection with the aforementioned main shaft. Fixed to thiscounter shaft are a plurality of cams which, through respective instru-3,422,999 Patented Jan. 21, 1969 mentalities actuated thereby, controloperations on the forward portion of the tape so that it is alternatelylooped, first under and then over a succession of spaced transverse barsextending between side bars of the buckle frame, and the action ofsevering the tape just prior to the tape and buckle assembly. The tapecutter is a knifeedged disc on the outer end of a stub shaft guided forup and down reciprocating movement by having on its other end a pulleybelt driven from the pulley on the shaft of a small electric motor.

In the initial operation of threading a tape its forward end is pusheddownwardly through the first transverse slot in the buckle from theleft, with respect to the drawings, and then swung rearwardly underneaththe buckle, this movement being performed by means under control of acam on the main drive shaft. At this same time the cut strip of tapefrom the preceding operation with its attached buckle is ejected fromthe feed control disc and line of feed. The control disc now becomesunlocked, rotates is again locked against rotation and the cycle ofoperations is repeated.

The accompanying drawings illustrating the invention and forming a partof the specification are as follows:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view showing in perspective the operatingmechanism of a machine according to the invention.

FIGURES 2 and 3 are fragmentary views, as will be explained, of portionsof the mechanism seen in FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a face view of a buckle such as employed in the instantinvention.

FIGURE 5 illustrates in angular perspective a fragmentary portion oftape overlying a buckle prior to threading, the tWo elements to beunited in the assembly 'being shown in longitudinal central section.

FIGURES 6, 7, 8 and 9 are longitudinal central sectional views of abuckle and tape in the process of being interlaced, successive viewsillustrating corresponding successive steps in the sequence ofoperations.

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view along the same line as that of FIGURES 5through 9 but showing a complete assembly of the tape and buckle.

FIGURE 11 is an outer face view drawn to full scale of a buckle and tapeassembly produced by the invention, a center portion of the tape beingcut away.

FIGURE 12 is a view in elevation of a tape feeding disc, supportingmeans over which the tape is fed in its passage through the machine andfragmentary portions of tape control and threading devices in theirrespective positions along the path of the tape.

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged top plan view of one of the buckle holders.

FIGURE 14 shows inside elevation the feed control disc and associatedparts.

In the drawings similar reference numerals refer to similar partsthroughout the several views.

The type of buckle used in the assembly, and as shown greatly enlargedin FIGURES 4 to 11, inclusive is indicated generally by numeral 20. Itis preferably of thin sheet stock and die-cut to form a substantiallyrectangular frame including side rails 21, 21, to which an end bar 22 atthe left, with respect to the drawings, lateral projections 23, 23turned inwardly from the side rails 21, 21 to form its other end, andspaced transverse bars 24 and 25 which, with the end bar and projections23, 23 provide three spaced transverse tape receiving slots or eyelets,that is, inner, intermediate and outer slots 26, 27 and 28,respectively. The assembled unit as illustrated in FIGURE 11 representsthe shoulder strap of a girdle. The strip of tape or ribbon may bevariable in length and, also, is adjustable in the buckle 20 as tolength.

The instant invention relates mainly, for reasons hereinabove set forth,in tape feed control and placement of the buckle in the process of tapeand buckle assembly. Because of this and for the facts that such othernovelties of construction and operation will form subject matter for aseparation application, and that much of the driving and actuatingmechanism employed are known in the art, parts and operations notspecifically detailed are shown schematically-see FIGURES 1, 2, and 3.

A pulley 30 on shaft 31 of a motor 32 drives a pulley 33 of greaterdiameter through the medium of a belt 34, the pulley 33 being fixed to ashaft 35 which, through a gear train not shown, in a speed reducing unit36, drives a main shaft 37 on which earns 38 and 39 are mounted.Parallel to the shaft 37 is a counter shaft 49 which carries a pluralityof cams 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 and 46, this shaft 40 being driven by asprocket chain 47 connected to sprocket Wheels 48 and 49 on the driveshaft 37 and counter shaft 40, respectively. Also driven from shaft 37,but in reverse direction to each other and by gearing as will bedescribed, are a pair of transverse shafts 50 and 51, shaft 50 having afeed control disc or index member 52 keyed thereon.

The tape 29 in its travel through the machine is supported in a lineintermediate and parallel to the shafts 37 and 40. It is fed from a roll53 through a tensioning device 54 to a supporting rod, 54a, thence toand over a pair of rods 55, 55 from which it is extended to and over abuckle 20 positioned for attachment to the tape, at what willhereinafter and in the claims be referred to as the buckle loadingstation, and from there to the plane of a cutting disc 56.

The cutter 56 is the means for severing the tape 29 at the rear or freeend of the strip of that which will become an assembled tape and buckleunit, at what will be termed the assembly unit discharge station, andthe buckle may then be attached to that portion of tape at the buckleloading station.

The cutting disc 56 is mounted on one end of a shaft 57 guided forvertical reciprocating movement as indicated by the arrows thereon. Theother end of shaft 57 is rotatably mounted for slight oscillatingmovement in the free end of an arm 58 fulcrummed at its inner end on theshaft 59 of a small independent motor 60, a belt 61 being the drivingconnection between a pulley 62 on the motor shaft 59 and pulley 63 onthe cutter shaft 57. Shaft 57 is aligned at the one end by a collar 84aat the bottom of sliding parts 84 and at the other end by arm 58.

It may here be stated that FIGURE 2 shows the cam 38 on shaft 37, andparts associated therewith, as rotated 90 from the respective positionsin which they are seen in FIGURE 1. And, FIGURE 3 is a schematic detailof cam 39 and parts associated therewith also rotated 90 from theposition of this cam in FIGURE 1.

In Operation the driving shaft 37 and cam shaft 4-0 rotate continuouslybut the gearing arrangement is such that shaft 50 on which the feedcontrol disc is mounted makes a one-half revolution at regular timeintervals. To this end shaft 51 is given partial rotation intermittentlyby helical gear 64 thereon which is driven by a meshing helical gear 65on shaft 37, this gear having a delay surface due to the removal of asufiicient number of teeth to meet the timing requirements. A spur gear66 on shaft 50 is rotated intermittently at a two to one ratio by ameshing gear 67 on shaft 51. A single tooth which is a portion of anannular spline on a disc 68 loose on shaft 37 is engaged by teeth on ahelical gear 69 fixed to shaft 56 at the proper time intervals tofunction as a lock in preventing rotary movement of shaft 50 and thecontrol disc 52 during their idle periods.

The so-called buckle loading station and assembly unit ejection stationare diametrically opposed points on the tape feed control disc 52. Ateach station, loading and ejection, there is an arm 70 extendinglaterally from that face of the disc 52 adjacent the tape 29. These arms70 are similar in that each throughout its length is an outwardlyopening channel member in the side walls 71 of which are inwardlyopening grooves 72 wherein a buckle 20 is slidable edgewise from one endto the other of the arms, and held against displacement. Each of thearms 70 provides a platen as a support for the buckle during the tapethreading operation and is open under the tape to permit reciprocatingmovement therethrough of pusher fingers acting on the tape.

Also extending laterally under the tape 29 from the member 52 adjacentits peripheral edge and circumferentially spaced are a plurality, six inthis instance, of tape guiding and supporting studs 73. Each stud 73 hasan inner annular shoulder 74 forguiding the run of tape 29 and at leasttwo of them have both an inner shoulder 74 and an outer shoulder 75, thetwo functioning to correct alignment 'of the tape as it engages over abuckle20 at the buckle loading station. I

At the beginning of each idle period for the feed control disc 52, abuckle 29 from the bottom of a supply stack within a magazine 76 isprojected forward onto the combination buckle holder and arm'70 at theloading station by means of a slide 77 in contact with and actuated bycam 39 on shaft 37, see FIGURE 3. The buckle at the bottom of magazine76 slides along slide'77 as the'latter is tilted by cam 39.

The sequence of operations in the process of buckle and tape assembly isas follows:

A foot piece 78 carried by an arm 79, the latter being actuated by cam45 on shaft 40, is lowered into pressure contact with the tape 29 tohold it against the pair of supporting rods 5555; a pusher arm 80 havingpivotal connection with a frame piece 81 is actuated by cam 42 to lowera finger 82 on its outer end into contact with the tape 29 and hold thelatter in contact with the buckle 20 at the buckle loading station; and,cam 41 actuates a pivoted arm 83 and sliding parts 84 associatedtherewith to lower the cutter 56 and sever the tape at the outer freeend of that section of tape forming part of the preceding assembled unitwhich, at this time is at the unloading station. Sliding parts 84include collar 84a on shaft 57. Shaft 57 can slidably rotate in collar84a while being raised and lowered in accordance with cam 41.

In the second operating movement of the parts, the cutter 56 retractsupwardly by spring urging; finger 82 continues on a downward movementand pushes the forward portion of tape 29 through the inner slot 26 ofthe buckle 20, see FIGURE 6.

In operation number three the finger 82 retracts upwardly; the arm 79retracts, lifting its foot piece '78 from the tape and thus permitting alooseness of the latter; an arm 85, see FIGURE 7, pivoted at its lowerend for oscillating movement swings from the dotted to the full lineposition .by action of cam 38 on shaft 37. This movement of arm 85pushes that portion of tape pushed through slot 26 of the buckle to theright where it is held against the under face of the buckle and thusforms a loop in the tape about the transverse bar 24 of the buckle, thetape thus being held for the next operation.

In this next operation a rocker arm indicated generally by numeral 86,and under control of cam 46, swings upwardly allowing a finger 87,normally resting on the tape 29, to permit slack in the tape. Thisallows the upturned finger 88 on the outer end of an arm 89 actuated bycam 43, FIGURE 8, to push the twofold looped end of the tape upwardlythrough the intermediate slot 27 in the buckle.

In operation number five the arm 89 and its pusher finger 88 retract;finger 87 is lowered to take up slack in the tape 29 and buckle loadingslide 77 retracts. All retractions are by spring means, not necessarilyshown in the drawing, and cam-actuation is against spring urge.

In operation number 6 a finger 90 on the outer end of an arm 91fulcrummed on the frame part 81 and actuated by cam 44 on shaft 40pushes the end of the twofold portion of the tape downwardly through theouter slot opening 28 of the buckle as shown in FIGURE 9.

During the final operation, number 7, the finger 90 retracts; arm 85,see FIGURE 7, returns to its dotted line position; cam 38 on shaft 37,see FIGURE 2, actuates an arm 92 which, by means of auxiliary stud 73aengaging the tape as shown in FIGURE 12, regulates the length of tape inthe assembled units; cam 39 also functions to clear the preceding unitassembly from the machine at discharge station; and, the feed controldisc 52 then rotates 180 to position for a new cycle.

As the assembled units are ejected from the machine the buckles 20engage and slide along a ground bar. The units push each other alongthis bar 93 and drop off its end.

Although not shown, it is to be understood that all cam-actuated membersare spring retractable.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination, in a machine for attaching buckles to tape includinga buckle loading station and a tape and buckle assembly unit dischargestation, of a buckle holder at each of said stations, means forattaching the forward end of a continuous tape to a buckle in the holderat said loading station, means for simultaneously moving said buckleholders and the buckles therein through a circular path from one stationto the other at regular time intervals, the attached buckle andsucceeding ones being the means for feeding successive lengths of tapethrough the machine, and cutting means in advance of said buckle loadingstation for severing the tape of the assembled unit preceding that ofthe unit in process of assembly.

2. The combination, in a machine for attaching buckles to tape includinga buckle loading station and a tape and buckle assembly unit dischargestation, of a shaft, means for rotating said shaft 180 at regular timeintervals and means for locking the shaft against rotation duringalternate ones of said time periods, a work supporting member fixed tosaid shaft, two diametrically opposite buckle holders carried by saidwork supporting member, means for interlacing the forward end of a tapeleading from a supply roll to a buckle in the holder at said loadingstation, the attached buckle and succeeding ones being the means,transported by said buckle holders, for feeding successive lengths oftape through the machine, and a rotary cutting disc mounted for verticalreciprocation in a plane in advance of said buckle loading station forsevering the tape of the assembled unit preceding that of the unit inprocess of assembly.

3. The combination of claim 2 characterized by said work supportingmember being a disc, by said buckle holders being arms extendedlaterally from a .side face of said disc and grooved to slidably receiveand hold a buckle in place and provide a supporting platen for thebuckle during interlacing of the tape therewith; and including means atsaid buckle loading station, but operating from the other side of saiddisc to slidably insert a buckle flatwise into the holder at suchstation, and like means at said discharge station for slidably ejectingthe tape attached buckle from the holder at that station.

4. The combination of claim 3 including an upstanding magazine at saidloading station for containing a stack of buckles to be individuallyengaged from the bottom of the stack by said buckle inserting means, anda supporting member in alignment with said laterally extending arms,when reaching said discharge station, and onto which the buckles ofassembled units are successively moved as they leave the machine underinfluence of said ejection means.

5. The combination of claim 3 characterized by said disc including aplurality of circumferentially spaced tape supporting studs extendingaxially forward from its front face and located adjacent its peripheraledge.

6. The combination of claim 5 characterized by each of the said studshaving an annular shoulder adjacent its inner end as a guide for thetape, and by at least two of said studs having both an inner and anouter shoulder as means for centering the tape with respect to thebuckle to which and at the time it is to be threaded.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,955,730 10/1960 Sonnato et al.22349 3,033,728 5/1962 Block et a1 223--49 X 3,150,804 9/1964 Edelman223-49 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner. GEORGE V. LARKIN, AssistantExaminer.

1. THE COMBINATION, IN A MACHINE FOR ATTACHING BUCKLES TO TAPE INCLUDINGA BUCKLE LOADING STATION AND A TAPE AND BUCKLE ASSEMBLY UNIT DISCHARGESTATION, OF A BUCKLE HOLDER AT EACH OF SAID STATIONS, MEANS FORATTACHING THE FORWARD END OF A CONTINUOUS TAPE TO A BUCKLE IN THE HOLDERAT SAID LOADING STATION, MEANS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY MOVING SAID BUCKLEHOLDERS AND THE BUCKLES THEREIN THROUGH A CIRCULAR PATH FROM ONE STATIONTO THE OTHER AT REGULAR TIME INTERVALS, THE ATTACHED BUCKLE ANDSUCCEEDING ONES BEING THE MEANS FOR FEEDINGG SUCCESSIVE LENGTHS OF THETAPE THROUGH THE MACHINE, AND CUTTING MEANS IN ADVANCE OF SAID BUCKLELOADING STATION FOR SERVING THE TAPE OF THE ASSEMBLED UNIT PRECEDINGTHAT OF THE UNIT IN PROCESS OF ASSEMBLY.